manley845

I would imagine that there is no automatic option for the same reason there is no DOHC engine option, the majority of buyers do not want it.

An auto tranny could be built to handle the demands of the ZR1 or Z06, and with the 6 speeds and paddle shifters, it would be a fun choice.

But, it's all about status, consumer demand, and available options across the line-up. The Grand Sport with an aftermarket supercharger would be a nice choice for someone that wants an auto tranny and high horsepower machine.

I personally would be torn between an auto equipped car or a manual ZR1. I really like the 6 speeds of the auto now, and the paddle shifters would still allow for control of gear selection and be fun to boot. But, in the end, it just seems that a car like the ZR1 or Z06 should just have a manual tranny.

vette6799

I'm sure they could, but my guess is that it all comes down to spending a lot of money for something with very limited demand at a time when research dollars are tight.

QUIKAG

What Mercedes has more than 638hp? Only car I can think of off the top of my head is the SL65 Black Series and you're mistaken if you think Mercedes automatics don't have issues, especially that seven-speed. The 5-speed is a bit stouter, but it's archaic and doesn't have very good shift quality and speed.

Reciprocal

If it's the F1 paddles you want, I'd be fine with that, as long as you have the foot clutch, and a sequential manual. Alonso doesn't have a torque converter and his gear box is not an automatic.

dsevo

Forget an automatic with a converter, why don't they invest in new transmission technology like everybody else. I know 3 pedal cars are nostalgic, but a car of the ZR1's caliber should really be offered with a modern dual clutch gear box.

jvp

At what cost? You realize that major development for the C6 platform is and has been finished for quite some time, right? Huge mechanical overhauls like a new transmission technology just aren't going to show up here. ZR1 caliber or not.

So knowing that they're not throwing big dollars at the development of that platform any longer, how would you fit a DCT that can handle over 600lb-ft of torque to the ZR1? Would it fit where the existing Tremec sits? What would it cost?

Now that you've got that DCT added, what's the take rate you're proposing? Do you think... 10% of the buyers would opt for it? 20%? Force it down the throat of 100% of the buyers? What are you charging for this bit of technology?

Show your work, please.

(I'm quite sure you won't be able to, but I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt).

Note I'm not discounting the wonders of a DCT. Just that they're not applicable to the existing platform unless GM can basically do it for free. Which they can't. Will we see one on the C7? Dunno.

jas

LEAVINU

I disagree with that. From what I've seen more hard-core drivers buy the ZR1 than the Z06. Again, this is purely from what I've seen with my own eyes and read here of new car purchases. I see far more Z06's on the road being granny shifted and babied than a ZR1. Those who can afford the ZR1 seem to be true car enthusiast with a passion to "drive!" Those who buy the Z06, which can be had used for $40k easily, are buying them because they have a "427" in them and they want the status of owning a big block when it's not even a big block.

Now this can't be said true in "every" purchase but in more cases than some realize this is the case. Go to a car show and see how many "track ready" Z06's are show queens with every chrome under hood piece available. Blows my mind.

8850

Try this one: http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...buts-in-geneva

QUIKAG

Nice try, but that's a tuner car, not an official Mercedes model. And I'm sure Brabus is going to warranty the automatic transmission for 100k miles with 700hp.

FastMatt2

And there is a CTS-v with all the bolt on's and a 300 shot of NOS running 9's with the STOCK auto in a 4200 lb car.

breecher_7

Yup and lets jack up the price 20K while were at it as well..

Contrary to your belief, MOST people that own sports cars like to shift the gears themselves.

Would that transmission be fast? You bet your *** it would be, but it wouldnt allow for the same amount of control and "fun" factor. Atleast not in my eyes.

Its a street car, not a F1 car, not even in the same ballpark....

vette6799

We weren't talking price, we were talking performance. But P and F cars do have DCT's, albeit at a price.

I guess the people driving 458's aren't in the MOST category, as you put it, since Ferrari doesn't even offer a manual transmission in that model. I never said manual transmissions weren't fun, I said they don't perform as well. And they don't.

As JVP pointed out, it is not an issue for the C6.

By the way, have you ever driven a car with a true F1-type transmission? I was fortunate to do so a couple of years ago in a 430. I came away very impressed.

fts

Reciprocal

Impressive I'm sure, but true F1, hardly. F1 have a manual clutch for starts.

breecher_7

Several, i have family members that own some pretty exotic cars.... And yes, they are very impressive. But I still prefer a real gearbox.

Just doesnt feel like im "driving" it otherwise...

vette6799

And during pit stops, the best drivers in the world seem to forget that on occasion and stall. I would absolutely agree, nothing is really F1 but F1.

Leonie

Transmissions do not hold hp, they hold lbs-ft!

And all the 65 models (not only the B.S.) have their torque limited to 1000 Nm, which translates to about 740 lbs-ft.

The new 63 models with the 5.5 Liter twin turbo also put out 700 Nm base and 800 Nm (about 590 lbs-ft) with the optional performance package.

So the ZR1 would be in good company torque-wise.

Best, Bernd

vette6799

I don't disagree, manual transmissions are fun. Different strokes. I would think, though, that more and more performance cars will go the DCT route. It is all about $$$.

blue devil 1

Now that ALMS has approved automatic transmissions for the GT2 class, Pratt and Miller has been doing a lot of development and already have them in their Corvette race cars. We should see them in Sebring in a couple of weeks. There is no argument that a automatic can shift faster than any human. If Pand M can make it live in the race cars, than the R and D has already been done and who knows, it may be available for the public from GM or at worst case, from Pratt and Miller.

fts

The SL65 Black is the only M-B that has more hp and torque. However, the only M-B auto transmission that can handle it is the older (tech-wise) five speed transmission. Their "revolutionary" 7-speed multiclutch setup is not stout enough past the SL 63 AMG and the SLS. Furthermore, the 7-speed has been plagued by software and other issues (which M-B was very slow to acknowledge). Finally, the SL has a price point well north of $300,000 and is in very limited production. The discontinued SLR McClaren 772 Edition had about the same hp and torque numbers as the ZR1 but costs 5 times as much.